The “OY/YO” sculpture outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. Photo: Shoot from Within.

The Philadelphia Police Department on Wednesday released photos of a wanted man who is suspected of vandalizing the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History with antisemitic graffiti.

Police describe the suspect as a white male approximately between 50-60 years old, heavily tattooed, and wearing a white tank top, khaki shorts, and red/white Nike Air Jordans. Surveillance video footage from the incident, which took place on Dec. 13 in the evening, shows the suspect writing an antisemitic message on the “OY/YO” sculpture in front of the museum before he entered a nearby subway station while rolling a large suitcase.

Pennsylvania State Representative Tarik Khan noticed the graffiti early the next morning and alerted police. The graffiti has since been removed, and the vandalism was condemned by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and others.

“At this time in our country with a rising number of acts of religious hatred, we must stand together and visibly and clearly reject every such act,” Parker said. “Hatred against people of any faith has no place in Philadelphia. As a united city, we stand together in rejecting hatred and violence wherever they are directed.”

The museum said in a statement shared with The Algemeiner that it will not be intimidated by the antisemitic vandalism.

“At a time of heightened antisemitism and hatred directed at Jews in America and around the world, incidents like this are deeply troubling – but they will not intimidate us or change who we are,” the museum said. “The Weitzman exists to tell the story of Jewish life in America, and we will continue to do so proudly and visibly. We remain unwavering in our commitment to our mission, our community, and the Jewish people. We are grateful to law enforcement and members of the community who have responded to the incident.”

Established in 1976, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is located on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall and is the only museum in the US dedicated exclusively to the American Jewish experience. The “OY/YO” sculpture, created by Jewish artist Deborah Kass, is situated near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Its vandalism marks the third time the museum has been vandalized in a year, after two red paint attacks in August 2025 that targeted the museum’s facade, plaza, and a large Israeli flag above the words “Weitzman Stands With Israel.” New Jersey resident Leroy Hayes, 33, was responsible for the vandalism incidents and turned himself in to Philadelphia police in early September 2025. He was charged with ethnic intimidation, criminal mischief, and possession of an instrument of crime.